Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s playful — food on a stick adds novelty and fun.
Combines the best of tacos and loaded potatoes in one snack.
Great for parties, game days, or casual gatherings.
Easy to assemble and customize to your taste.
Served warm and handheld, convenient to eat while mingling.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Tater tots (frozen)
Ground beef (or substitute: turkey, chicken, or plant-based)
Onion, diced
Taco seasoning (or mix of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt)
Bacon, cooked and chopped
Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
Green onions (scallions), sliced
Sour cream or crema (for drizzling or dipping)

Directions

Preheat your oven (or air fryer) and cook the tater tots according to package directions until crispy.
In a skillet, sauté the diced onion, then add the ground beef. Season with taco seasoning (or your spice mix) and cook until browned and cooked through. If there is excess liquid, drain it so toppings stay crisp.
Meanwhile, then chop it into small pieces.
Once the tater tots are done, let them cool just enough to handle. Thread 4–6 tots on each skewer (wooden or metal).
Place the skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with the seasoned beef, then sprinkle shredded cheese over each skewer.
Return to the oven (or under the broiler) just long enough for the cheese to melt (about 5–8 minutes).
Remove from heat and immediately sprinkle with bits and sliced green onions.
Drizzle with sour cream or serve sour cream on the side for dipping.

Servings and timing

Servings: about 12–15 skewers (serving depends on number of tots per skewer)
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Cook time: ~25 minutes
Total time: ~35 minutes

Variations

Use ground chicken, turkey, or plant-based crumbles instead of beef.
Replace bacon with chorizo, sausage, or omit for vegetarian version.
Add jalapeño slices, diced tomatoes, or pickled onions for extra flavor.
Use pepper jack or Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar/mozzarella.
Swap sour cream for crema, guacamole, or a drizzle of hot sauce.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, place skewers in a preheated oven (or air fryer) to crisp up the tater tots and melt the cheese again. Avoid microwaving if possible, since tots may become soggy.

FAQs

What kind of skewer should I use?

You can use wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden ones, soak them in water for 10–15 minutes before using to reduce the risk of burning in the oven.

Can I assemble skewers ahead of time?

You can precook the beef and bacon and shred the cheese ahead of time, but it’s best to skewer and bake right before serving so everything stays crispy.

Can I cook the skewers on a grill?

Yes — grill on medium heat, covered if possible, for a few minutes on each side just until the cheese melts and ingredients are heated through.

How many tater tots per skewer is ideal?

Four to six tots per skewer works well — enough for substance, but won’t be too heavy.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes — most ingredients (tater tots, meat, cheese, sour cream) can be gluten-free. Just confirm your taco seasoning doesn’t contain gluten.

What if I don’t have taco seasoning?

Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste as a substitute.

Can I use pre-cooked or leftover taco meat?

Absolutely — that’s an easy shortcut. Just reheat topping and assemble the skewers before melting the cheese.

Can I make them milder for kids?

Yes — reduce spice amounts or skip strong chilies, and stick with milder cheese. You can serve sauce on the side for those who want more heat.

How to keep the tater tots crispy under the toppings?

Don’t overload with moist ingredients. Drain excess liquid from the meat, top just before melting cheese, and serve immediately while warm.

Conclusion

Taco Tater Tot Skewers offer a fun, flavorful mashup of comfort foods that are perfect for parties or casual meals. They’re easy to customize, holdable, and always a crowd-pleaser. Try that twist on tacos next time — it’s a snack your guests will talk about.

Taco Tater Tot Skewer

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Taco Tater Tot Skewers are a playful and delicious fusion of tacos and loaded potatoes — crispy tater tots threaded on skewers, topped with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, , and a drizzle of sour cream or crema. Perfect for parties, game days, or any fun gathering.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 12–15 skewers
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Ingredients

1 bag frozen tater tots
1 lb ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or plant-based substitute)
1 small onion, diced
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or mix of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, and salt)
4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican blend)
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream or crema (for drizzling or dipping)

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Instructions

Preheat oven or air fryer and cook tater tots according to package directions until crispy.
While tots cook, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Stir in taco seasoning and cook for another 2–3 minutes. Drain excess liquid.
Cook bacon until crispy and chop into small bits. Set aside.
Once tater tots are done, let them cool slightly. Thread 4–6 tots onto each skewer (wooden or metal).
Place skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top each with seasoned beef and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Return to oven or broiler for 5–8 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with bacon bits and green onions.
Drizzle with sour cream or serve it on the side for dipping. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, use plant-based crumbles.
To make them spicier, add jalapeño slices or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Soak wooden skewers in water before baking to prevent burning.
Use an air fryer for extra crispy tater tots.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 skewer (approx. 5 tater tots with toppings)
Calories: 220
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 420mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 35mg